|Climbing in the Drakensberg

Brief summary of venue

Drakensberg climbing is strictly trad (though there are a couple of bolted routes in the Berg) and its objectives are usually to attain a summit, not for the actual climb. The climb is often the last 5% of the total effort, the rest being the walk-up.

Permit/ permission info

Entry and permit is through one of the KwaZulu Natal Parks Gates.

Approximate travelling time from Johannesburg

4 to 5 hours.

Parking information

Parking is usually at the KZN Parks reception areas and is reasonably safe. The cost is part of the entry fee, currently (2012) R50 per night.

Info on walk in

A typical walk up to one of the popular peaks is anything from 3 to 8 hours. It is usually quite strenuous, made more so by the weight of climbing and overnight gear.

Accommodation

Accommodation is most often in caves but sometimes tents or bivvy bags need to be taken. Bookings for climbs are not needed, though caves can be booked.

Availability of water for drinking

Water is generally available and drinkable throughout the Berg but is scarce near caves.

Climbing route guide

The KZN Section of the MCSA has published a comprehensive route guide, Rock and Ice Climbs of Drakensberg, which is available from them, see http://kzn.mcsa.org.za.

Climbing information

While there are many less known routes, the ten classic Berg routes are: The North Face Route on Sentinel Peak (also called the Angus-Leppan Route). Devil's Tooth. Mponjwana, Standard Route. The Bell, Hooper's Route. The Pyramid, Standard Route. The Column, Escarpment Arête. The Monk's Cowl, Standard and Barry's Route. The Injasuti Western Triplet, North West Ridge Route. Giant's Castle, Schole's Route. Giant's Castle, Makaza and the Main Loteni Couloir (ice routes). The rock quality is generally bad, with North facing routes worse than South facing ones. See the route guide for specific details. Most of the popular peaks have fixed abseil anchors. The length of climbs ranges from single pitch upwards. Grades start from about 13. Protection placements are not good and sometimes almost non-existent.

Child friendly

No.

Swimming

No.

Camp fires

Yes, but only low down.

Other attractions

Drakensberg climbing is an acquired taste, but like no other climbing for excitement and a sense of mountaineering achievement.

Dangers

Some mountaineering sense and experience is needed as conditions can deteriorate and become quite dangerous. Always take good clothes, helmets and torches on the climb. Local herders and travellers will steal anything left out, sometimes while you are there. Always hide your gear away from paths and local traffic routes.

Contacts

Ask around the Club for someone who has done the route before, if you feel you need more information. Make booking through the KwaZulu Natal Parks: www.kznwildlife.com. The KwaZulu Natal MCSA website has info on climbing in the Berg:http://kzn.mcsa.org.za.

To all Mountain club members in Gauteng - please note that due to some attempted access to our properties during lockdown we would like to reiterate that access is suspended until relevant lockdown regulations deem it legal. Currently, we suspect that this will only be in level 2 or 1 as both inter-provincial travels is required (Magaliesberg is largely in the North-West) and, more critically, hiking and climbing are not considered essential activities.